Are you ready for Stoptober?

Stoptober, the 28-day stop smoking challenge, is back from 1st October and Hertfordshire County Council is encouraging smokers from across Hertfordshire to get involved.

Stoptober is the biggest mass quit attempt in the country and thousands of people take part every year. A range of free support is available to help people on their quitting journey, including an app, daily emails, Facebook Messenger and encouragement from the Stoptober online community on Facebook.

Smoking is still the leading cause of death and disability in Hertfordshire, with around 1,500 smoking-related deaths each year and estimated costs to the local economy of £288 million.

Director of Public Health Jim McManus said: “We are very encouraged proud that people are stopping smoking in Hertfordshire; Hertfordshire now has lower than average rates of smoking at 13.5 per cent and the lowest on record.

“However we know that of those still smoking, two thirds want to quit.

“If you’re not quite ready to give up nicotine, e-cigarettes are 95 per cent safer than smoking tobacco, cheaper than conventional cigarettes and twice as effective at helping you stop smoking as over the counter nicotine replacements.”

If you can stop smoking for 28-days, you are five times more likely to stay quit for good.

Make sure you’re ready for Stoptober by contacting the Stop Smoking Service today. Simply text SMOKEFREE to 80818, call 0800 389 3 998 or visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/stopsmoking . You can get advice on e-cigarettes too.